Storage system and method for storing and transporting medicament

Abstract

A storage system for storing a drug includes a container, at least one passive cooling system, and an active cooling system. The container includes an interior volume to accommodate at least one drug. The at least one passive cooling system is disposed within the container and includes a phase change material. The active cooling system is operably coupled with the container and, when in an operational mode, maintains a desired temperature within the interior volume of the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A storage system for storing a drug, the storage system comprising:
 a shipping container including an interior volume; 
 a drug container including a number of sidewalls, an upper surface, and a lower surface that define an interior volume to accommodate at least one drug, the lower surface including a plurality of transportation openings defined by an opening ceiling, an opening floor surface, and a plurality of opening sidewalls, the plurality of transportation openings dimensioned to receive a lifting member of a forklift, the drug container adapted to be disposed within the shipping container; 
 at least one passive cooling system selectively disposed within the interior volume of the drug container or at least one of the plurality of transportation openings such that the at least one passive cooling system rests on the opening floor surface thereof, the at least one passive cooling system including a phase change material; and 
 an active cooling system operably coupled with the shipping container and, when in an operational mode, adapted to maintain a desired temperature within the interior volume of the shipping container. 
 
     
     
       2. The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material is transitionable between a solid state and a liquid state. 
     
     
       3. The storage system of  claim 2 , wherein the phase change material is configured in the solid state prior to placing the at least one drug within the interior volume of the drug container. 
     
     
       4. The storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional drug container adapted to be disposed within the interior volume of the shipping container. 
     
     
       5. The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one passive cooling system is operably coupled with at least one of the plurality of sidewalls, the upper surface, or the lower surface. 
     
     
       6. The storage system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one passive cooling system is removably disposed within an opening or a pocket formed in the drug container. 
     
     
       7. The storage system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one passive cooling system is removably disposed within the pocket formed in the drug container, and the pocket is formed on at least one of an interior surface of the at least one drug container or an exterior surface of the at least one drug container. 
     
     
       8. The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one drug container further includes at least one of an expanded polystyrene member or a molded polyurethane member. 
     
     
       9. The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage system is further configured to transition to a passive cooling state whereby the at least one passive cooling system maintains a desired temperature within the interior volume of the drug container. 
     
     
       10. The storage system of  claim 1 , further including an electrical connector operably coupled with the active cooling system to provide electrical power thereto. 
     
     
       11. A method of shipping a drug, the method comprising:
 providing a drug container having a number of sidewalls, an upper surface, and a lower surface that define an interior volume, the lower surface including a plurality of transportation openings defined by an opening ceiling, an opening floor surface, and a plurality of opening sidewalls, the plurality of transportation openings dimensioned to receive a lifting member of a forklift, the at least one passive cooling system including a phase change material; 
 selectively disposing at least one passive cooling system in at least one of the interior volume of the drug container or at least one of the plurality of transportation openings such that the at least one passive cooling system rests on the opening floor surface thereof; 
 placing the drug in the interior volume of the drug container; 
 transporting, via a lifting member of a forklift engaged with the plurality of transportation openings, the drug container to a shipping container; 
 coupling an active cooling system with the shipping container; and 
 transporting the shipping container to a different location. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the phase change material is transitionable between a solid state and a liquid state. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the phase change material is configured in the solid state prior to placing the drug within the interior volume of the drug container. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising cooling, via the active cooling system, the drug container prior to placing the drug into the interior volume thereof. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one passive cooling system is coupled with at least one of the plurality of sidewalls, the upper surface, or the lower surface. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of coupling at least one passive cooling system with the drug container includes removably disposing the at least one passive cooling system within an opening or a pocket formed in the drug container. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one passive cooling system is removably disposed with the pocket formed in the drug container, and the pocket is formed on at least one of an interior surface of the drug container or an exterior surface of the drug container. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , further including disposing at least one of an expanded polystyrene member or a molded polyurethane member in the drug container. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising transitioning to a passive cooling state whereby the at least one passive cooling system maintains a desired temperature within the interior volume of the drug container. 
     
     
       20. The storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising the at least one drug in the interior volume of the drug container, the at least one drug comprising a drug product or a drug substance. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 11 , wherein placing the drug in the interior volume of the drug container comprises placing a drug product or a drug substance in the interior volume of the drug container.